Fine needle aspiration (fna) devices and methods including stylet extraction mechanisms

A syringeless fine needle aspiration device comprising:

• a needle and a needle hub;
• an extraction chamber;
• a stylet movable between a deployed position extending through the needle and a retracted position received within the extraction chamber;
• an energy-storing element coupled to the stylet;
• and
• an operator actuated trigger integrated with the extraction chamber and operatively coupled to a release mechanism;
• wherein actuation of the trigger releases the energy-storing element to retract the stylet into the extraction chamber;
• and
• wherein the extraction chamber is releasably attachable to the needle hub such that the extraction chamber can be detached from the needle hub while the needle remains inserted in a test subject.

A system comprising:

• a reusable trigger gun having a support body and a trigger;
• and
• a removable extraction chamber/needle subassembly comprising an extraction chamber, an energy-storing element, a release mechanism configured to interface with the trigger, a needle hub, a needle, and a stylet;
• wherein the extraction chamber/needle subassembly is detachably mounted to the reusable trigger gun, and
• wherein actuation of the trigger releases the energy-storing element to retract the stylet into the extraction chamber, and
• wherein the extraction chamber/needle subassembly is detachable from at least the needle hub such that the subassembly can be detached while the needle remains inserted in a test subject.

A method of performing fine needle aspiration without a syringe body, comprising:

• mounting a removable extraction chamber/needle subassembly to a reusable trigger gun;
• inserting a needle of the subassembly into a test subject with a stylet in a deployed position;
• actuating a trigger of the trigger gun to release a stored energy element and retract the stylet into an extraction chamber of the subassembly;
• and detaching the extraction chamber/needle subassembly from at least a needle hub while leaving the needle inserted in the test subject to permit capillary sampling.